Impacted or normal??

[MakNat]

I never paid attention untill I read about impacted crop on here. Some of my smaller birds have very tight and hard crops. Not real big though and I can move the stuff around a little. They seem fine and have no trouble eating or running around. Should I be doing something for them or just leave them be? They really seem happy and normal.

 

[Matt A NC]

When you need to check is first thing in the morning, before they have eaten anything. Crops should be empty at that time.

Matt

 

[MakNat]

Good to know.. So a sitting hen's should be empty???

 

[Matt A NC]

Depends on how long she has been away from the feed. If she has been off to eat that day, then it should be full or at least partly.

The reason you check in the mornings is because chickens don't move around and eat when they are in darkness(like at night). If you have lights for them to see or they can get to the feed before you can get to them to check, then they may always have food in their crops.

Matt

 

[MakNat]

My little sitting hen's is full all the time.. Morning, night, hers never changes. Should I do something to help her.? The others change a bit throughout the day. Its only the bannys that are like this... The big birds feel like little bean bags.. Thank you...